Talking about religion - Round 2!

[CathyBogart]

So, this thread is for people to learn about each other's religious beliefs and practices. We did this awhile back and it was a big success, so I thought we'd try another one since we've got so many new members now. So, write about your own religion, ask lots of questions, and have fun!

Here's the rules: (kinda common sense, but just in case)
-No fighting!
-If you want to say something that might be taken as critical, even if it's not meant that way, either PM the person or re-word it.

I was going to write up a really long post with pictures but I'm coming down with the flu and my brain is dripping out my ears, so I'm going to try to keep mine short for now.

I am pagan. I'm not Wiccan, but I guess that's the closest "official" religion. I am polytheistic, and I focus on the Celtic panthenon of deities, which has Dagda and Danu ans the "main" God and Goddess.

I celebrate eight holidays throughout the year (which starts on October 31st, btw. ^_^)

First is Yule or the Winter Solstice, which is the holiday Christmas comes from.

Imbolc, at the beginning of February, is a welcoming of Spring, and rebirth.

Ostara or Vernal Equinox is the base from which Easter came. The rabbit, colored eggs, and baby chicks were symbols of fertility, and Ostara is a time for planting and celebrating fertility.

Midsummer solstice is next, followed by Lammas or Lughnasadh, which is a harvest celebration. Mabon is the second celebration of the harvest, though it is also very very similar to Thanksgiving.

The last is Samhain, which most people know as Halloween. Samhain is about remembering the departed, and the hope of rebirth. (I believe in reincarnation) It is also the final of the three harvest festivals.

There's so much more I want to right but right now I need to get to bed. Please feel free to ask questions, I love answering them.

Oh, and because I know it will come up - yes, I do use magick. If anyone is curious, I can write up a sample ritual, though there are a few things I don't generally share. :P

[junescrater716]

I don't have a religion so I'm just gonna hang around and find out which one makes most sense to me! Is that okay?

[junescrater716]

So do you celebrate the same holidays christians and catholics do or are they different?

[IRescue452]

I'm Gardnerian Wiccan. I follow the same calandar as above with 13 months and 8 holidays.

I am a high priestess, which means I've gone through all required paths and numerous rituals along with 13+ years of practice. I am ordained by the Universal Life Church. That means I can legally perform wedding, funeral, and other ceremonies.

I know about and follow dozens of gods and goddesses. I believe in the Christian god, but not as my own high power. No god is higher than another. Gods and goddesses are all a manifestations of a single polar entity.

I do believe in absolute evil, but it cannot manifest itself as one being. Not even Satan. I believe the only place that can be considered close to a Christian's description of hell is right here on earth. I believe Satan is a Christian god, because most of what they do in daily or weekly ritual is centered around avoiding his wrath. This follows the definition of worship.

I do not perform "magic". I can do rituals and prayers for certain things. But I cannot type this on a keyboard without using my own fingers. I do practice things using psychic energy such as scrying.

Being Gardnerian, I do not welcome everybody to practice my beliefs. To become Gardnerian takes dedication and years of work. This is very similar to the idea of baptismal at adulthood rather than at birth. I hate when religious groups are used as trends, which is why I expect people to work to become a member.

[CathyBogart]

So do you celebrate the same holidays christians and catholics do or are they different?

Some of the dates coincide, but the celebratoins are very different.

[junescrater716]

Ohhhhhh! How so? This is interesting!

[IRescue452]

Our holidays are quite comparable to the later formed Christian holidays. Keep in mind that these will be different slightly for each pagan group.

To start with there is Samhain, two spirit nights celebrated on Oct. 31-Nov. 1. It is known as the last harvest. A time of reflection as the earth says goodbye to god. Celebrations vary from person to person. Most consider this our new year's day.

Then comes Candlemas, Yule, or Winter Solstice. This is celebrated on the winter solstice Dec. 21 or the 23rd of the month Astraea. This holiday is celebrated as the return of the sun god. Symbols are the yule log, evergreen tree, cloved fruit, poinsettias, and holly. Activities are wassailing, caroling, and honoring Kriss Kringle. Spellworkings are for peace, harmony, love, and happiness.

After Candlemas is Imbolc or Oimealg. Celebrated on Feb. 2 or Bridhe 10. You could compare it to groundhog day as we celebrate the first showings of spring. We say a snake emerges to test the weather. Activities for celebration are going for walks and searching for signs of spring, making corn husk dolls, and having bon fires.

Next is Spring Equinox or Ostara. It is celebrated on March 21 or Columbina 2. This is the first true day of spring. The theme of the conception of the goddess was adopted as the Feast of Annunciation by the Christians. Symbols are eggs, bunnies, chicks, violets, daffodils, and pastels. Activities are long walks, planting gardens, and any traditional Easter activities. Easter is the one Christian holiday the borrows almost all pagan traditions.

Next is Beltain, Roodmas, or mayday. It is celebrated on April 30 or May 1, Maia 12 in our calandar. This is a time when the first flowers are gathered in honor or the young gods. Activities are maypole, making flower baskets, and gathering flowers.

After that is Summer Solstice, Midsummer, or Litha. It is celebrated June 21 or Rosea 8th. It is the first harvest of herbs. It coincides with the Christian Feast of St. John. Activities are a rededication to religion.

Next is Lughnasadh or Lammas. It is celebrated on July 31 or August 1, Kerea 20th. This is the first full harvest. Symbols are bread on the altar, apples, grapes, and grains. Activities are a feast, walk and reflect on the bounty and love of the Lord and Lady.

Last is Autumn Equinox or Mabon. It is celebrated on September 21 or Mala 15. It is the second harvest and days and nights are equally balanced. Activities are gathering and making wine. All autumn colors are used as symbols.

[junescrater716]

Thats cool! My mom told me that christianity is probably one of the newest form of religions. Thats why it's so similar to most of the other ones?

[Giselle]

Thats cool! My mom told me that christianity is probably one of the newest form of religions. Thats why it's so similar to most of the other ones?

In relation to all of the religions throughout the world, Christianity is not new but I wouldn't call it old either. Many Christian beliefs and rituals stem from Roman/Greek rituals (i.e. Romans called their rituals sacramenta while Catholics call them sacraments). That's part of why Christianty is so similar to some pagan beliefs.

I can't say I follow a religion. I find them all too restrictive and artificial. I believe in a higher power and I believe this higher power doesn't care if I follow a specific religion as long as I help as many beings as I possibly can.

[junescrater716]

Oh. I'm starting to get interested more in paganism and wiccan. Those are beginning to interest me.

[ramanth]

I can't say I follow a religion. I find them all too restrictive and artificial. I believe in a higher power and I believe this higher power doesn't care if I follow a specific religion as long as I help as many beings as I possibly can.

That's a really great way of looking at it Giselle. I feel the same way, though like Cathy, a lot of my beliefs tend to lean towards the Pagan side.

[Twisterdog]

I don't practice a particular organized religion. I don't believe any religion is any more "right" than any other.

In fact, I rather think that ALL religions are "wrong", simply attempts by humans' puny little minds to catergorize/simplify something we cannot comprehend. I believe in a higher power, but I don't think He/She/It cares at all whether you use the name God, Allah or Dagda.

I think following the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.) is about all it takes. Whichever organized religion makes one want to do that is great for that peron, IMO. I have always liked Abraham Lincoln's take on religion ... "When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion."

[Sophist]

CathyBogart: Do you practice mainly on your own, or do you meet with a group of some sort? If you have a group, do you ever meet except for celebrations/holidays?

IRescue452: Have you ever performed any weddings? Perhaps getting a bit off-topic, just a little curious.

And for both of you... are you irritated a lot by all the goth and wanna-be rebellious kids/college students who claim to be Pagan/Wiccan with no real idea of what they are just to sound edgy and dark? I mean, I can think of at least a solid dozen people I know who proudly and loudly proclaim their 'pagan' status based solely on things learned from Buffy the Vampire Slayer How do you find serious practicers of your religions to study/celebrate with (assuming you do)?

Well, I may think of some things to share about my on religion later after getting some sleep, but if anyone wants to ask any questions, I am a Latter Day Saint (commonly called 'mormon'). Don't worry about asking questions, trust me, I've just about heard them all .

[Sevaede]

[QUOTE=Sophist]And for both of you... are you irritated a lot by all the goth and wanna-be rebellious kids/college students who claim to be Pagan/Wiccan with no real idea of what they are just to sound edgy and dark? I mean, I can think of at least a solid dozen people I know who proudly and loudly proclaim their 'pagan' status based solely on things learned from Buffy the Vampire Slayer How do you find serious practicers of your religions to study/celebrate with (assuming you do)?
QUOTE]

I know this wasn't directed towards me but I just had to answer it. heh.

Yes. I get irritated with the folks who think that because they are in a darker mindset, or follow a trend, or that is just naturally them to be a "goth", that it goes hand in hand with being a Pagan or/and Wiccan. Or people who proclaim they are because they see it as trendy. Things like that.

[IRescue452]

I've sat in on weddings (handfasting ceremonies) but I've yet to be the person performing them. I just finished all the pathworkings not long ago.

I am very much irritated by EMO kids who claim to be wiccan or pagan, which is to be expected from a gardnerian. I think they give real pagans a bad name.

I find serious practicioners quite easily. Members of covens, people who show up to public rituals and festivals, even people at school. Its very easy to pick the serious people from the trendy people with just a small conversation. While I don't know many gardnerians outside of one coven, I know several dozen other pagans that I keep in contact with on a regular basis. Its kinda cool if you think about it, pagans of many sects will work together, but you don't see a groups of Catholics, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witness' doing to many things together. I've got Jehovah Witness family members who wouldn't even stand up during a Catholic funeral for their own mother. That's rediculous and childlike if you ask me.